Perhaps there are signs that the Chittenango boys lacrosse team is starting to find some life and cause for optimism. The Bears were in it for a long time during last Tuesday’s game against 6-2 New Hartford, dreaming of an upset before taking a 12-8 loss to the Spartans. Adam Wayne was red-hot at the start, well on his way to a four-goal night as Chittenango seized a 3-2 first-quarter lead. Even though New Hartford responded well in the second period, the Bears only trailed by one, 7-6, as they went to the break. Somewhere in the second half, though, it started to fall apart as the Spartans steadily wore the Bears down behind Jake Silberlicht (four goals) and Taylor Gardiner, who had three goals and two assists. Aside from Wayne, no other Chittenango player would score twice as Jordan Barber, Ben Myers, Mike Cole and Jake Reynolds took turns getting goals. Myers and Lukas Bicknell added assists. Ryan Schiedo made nine saves. Two nights later, against another group of Spartans from East Syracuse-Minoa, the Bears did not come as close in a 12-5 loss. ESM built that margin through an 8-2 first-half spurt where Mike Cummings took over. By game’s end, Cummings had more goals (six) than the entire Chittenango roster. Meanwhile, the Bears saw Bicknell post a pair of goals as Cole, Myers and Reynolds gained one goal apiece. Ryan Schiedo played most of the game in the net, earning 11 saves. Chittenango would get two more chances to break into the win column this week, with trips to Whitesboro and Fulton.